Communications Team
The communications team is the principal distributor of official institutional communications.
Karen Krakower
Kaplan
Karen Krakower Kaplan
Director of Communications
Editor, HealthLeader Online Wellness Magazine
Phone: (713) 500-3045
E-mail: Karen.K.Kaplan@uth.tmc.edu
Karen Krakower Kaplan, director of communications has returned to the UT Office of Public Affairs (currently the Office of Institutional Advancement) three times during the last 30 years, most recently in 2002 to serve as editor of HealthLeader.
HealthLeader Online Magazine serves the larger public outside the walls of the Health Science Center, providing solid health and wellness information to the consumer. The magazine is has won numerous regional and national awards for content, design and information excellence.
Karen serves on several advisory boards and committees both within the University and the broader Houston community and lectures on key issues surrounding personal health and medical journalism. Her work has appeared in over 50 journals, magazines, newspapers and anthologies and is the recipient of more than 20 awards for writing. Her additional work with AIDS organizations, organ transplant and hospice provides a necessary depth to her understanding of current health information needs.
Wendy Mohon
Wendy Mohon
Communications Manager
Editor, Distinctions
Phone: (713)500-3205
E-mail: Wendy.Mohon@uth.tmc.edu
Wendy K. Mohon has more than 20 years of experience in the field of communications, including serving as a zone editor for The Houston Chronicle and working on air at several Houston radio stations. She has won numerous awards for writing, editing and newspaper design, including honors from the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors Association, the Texas Press Association and the Texas State Teachers Association.
She began her career with the UT Health Science Center in 2001, as a medical manuscript editor at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and then as a Development writer within the Office of Institutional Advancement in 2005. Named editor of UT Health Science Center at Houston's Distinctions newspaper in October 2007, she is responsible for the content, production and distribution of this award-winning publication.
Cynthia Johnson
Cynthia Johnson, Ph. D.
Communications Manager
Phone: (713)500-3058
E-mail: Cynthia.J.Johnson@uth.tmc.edu
As a member of the Communications team in Public Affairs, Cynthia Johnson works closely with faculty to create feature articles and print publications that speak effectively for the University’s mission, programs, achievements, objectives, and funding needs. Before joining the UT Health Science Center, she held administrative positions in both industry and academia. She has nearly 30 years of experience in communications management; is the author of numerous reports, proposals, and policy papers; and has taught in France and in the U.S. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University, a master's degree from the University of Kentucky, and a Ph.D. from Rice University.
Barbie Ross
Barbie Ross
Communications Specialist
Phone: (713) 500-3040
E-mail: Barbie.Ross@uth.tmc.edu
Barbie is a Communications Specialist in the Office of Institutional Advancement. A recent graduate of St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, Barbie graduated with honors and received her Bachelors of Arts in psychology. During college, Barbie enjoyed volunteering at the Humane Society in Austin with their administrative and physical needs. A fourth generation Texan, she grew up in Houston. Barbie brings with her experience working in public relations, marketing, and even Hollywood script development and production. A self-taught web designer and photo editor, Barbie has much to contribute to the university’s print and electronic publications.
Greg Rutzen
Greg Rutzen
Communications Specialist
Phone: (713) 500-3087
E-mail: Gregory.Rutzen@uth.tmc.edu
Greg is a Communications Specialist in the Office of Institutional Advancement. Greg has 20 years of experience in communications in higher education and community-based nonprofit agencies. His background includes publications, design and photography for programs in resource development, alumni and donor relations, and communications at the University of Notre Dame, Marquette University and Family Services of Greater Houston. He has won awards for print media and photography. He received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and his law degree from Indiana University School of Law-Bloomington.
University Publications
HealthLeader is an online consumer wellness magazine for the general public providing free, useful consumer-health articles and tools on topics related to medical research, personal health, fitness, nutrition and mental well-being, plus access to UT Clinics. For information call (713) 500-3045 or visit http://www.healthleader.uthouston.edu/.
Distinctions is a monthly newspaper that highlights the health science center’s distinctive capabilities and accomplishments in education, research, community service, and philanthropic support. It is distributed to external as well as internal audiences. For information call (713) 500-3205 or see http://www.uthouston.edu/distinctions/.
The Leader ceased publication with the August 2007 issue. Archives are still available at http://theleader.uthouston.edu/.
The Leader Update is an online news service of the Office of Public Affairs, providing coverage of people, events and information at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. For information call (713) 500-3087 or visit http://publicaffairs.uth.tmc.edu/leaderupdate/index.asp.
News on the Go is a weekly electronic news service from the Office of Institutional Advancement, providing timely news and information to faculty, staff, fellows, residents and students on the go. For information, call (713) 500-3087 or visit http://www.uthouston.edu/newsonthego/.
Safety First is an online publication to provide health and safety information for everyone on campus. It is produced by the Office of Institutional Advancement in conjunction with the The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Safety Council. For general health and safety information, contact Environmental Health & Safety at (713) 500-8100. For information about this publication, contact (713) 500-3087 or visit https://inside.uthouston.edu/leaderupdate/2007archive.htm#safetyfirst.
Mass e-mails
If you are planning a mass communication to the whole university community, or to certain segments of the community, please alert Karen.K.Kaplan@uth.tmc.edu or Barbie.Ross@uth.tmc.edu as far in advance of the push out date as possible. The Communications Team will work with you to figure out the appropriate way to send your message either by mass e-mail to the whole community or a segment of the community, or by another form of communication.
Archives of past issues of all the publications are searchable on-line.
Date Modified: 9/04/2009
